Elmhurst Mutual Power & Light > Member Services > Disconnects/Reconnects for Customer Maintenance or Repairs

Disconnects/Reconnects for Customer Maintenance or Repairs

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This form is intended to facilitate the scheduling of disconnects and reconnects by Elmhurst Mutual Power & Light for the purpose of customer requested repairs.

Homeowners and electricians are not allowed to disconnect the electrical service. If they do so, Elmhurst will consider the service to have been tampered with and act accordingly including fines and delays for the Customer.

This form must be filled out by the Customer and is required to facilitate repairs.

General Information

Elmhurst Mutual Power & Light determines the rules for these repairs along with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

  1. If Elmhurst disconnects an electrical service for repairs, (scheduled or emergency work) the member will need to install a disconnect type meter base.
    1. An exception is a 3R panel with a main breaker or a disconnect nearby. In that case the member will still need to install a new, ring type meter base without a disconnecting means.
    2. Elmhurst will not accept repairs to an existing meter base (IE jaw replacement) it must be a new meter base. This is Elmhurst Mutual Power & Light Policy so it does not matter whether L&I requires it or not.
  2. Any work that requires EMPL to disconnect the power at the source (with the exception of re-securing a meter base to the wall) will require a new disconnect-type meter base to be installed. This applies to the repair or replacement of any part of the electrical service including wire, breakers, panels, CT enclosures, masts, etc. exceptions can be made for weather head caps or the replacement of ground wires lost to vandalism.
  3. If the service conductor is aged to the point of cracking or other damage or does or does not reach out of an overhead mast at least 18 inches, or is not rated for 200 amps, the service conductor must be replaced.
  4. In an underground service, when installing a new meter base, Elmhurst will allow splices inside of the new meter base but only those provided and installed by Elmhurst. Be sure not to cut the existing conductors at all if you think you will need splices. If the wire ends up too short to allow splicing then EMPL will require the wires to be excavated and exposed below the meter base, regardless of any ground cover like asphalt or concrete.
  5. There is no cost for AM/PM’s during normal business hours. If a customer requests this work outside of normal business hours then the fees will apply. Contact Elmhurst directly in these circumstances.
  6. Permits and electrical inspections are handled by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries LNI.WA.GOV Tacoma Office Phone 253-596-3800 Office address is 950 Broadway #200 Tacoma, WA 98402
  7. Homeowners are allowed to do work on a house they live in. In that case, Elmhurst will disconnect the power on the scheduled day and will reconnect it on the first business day after being notified and verified that it has passed L&I inspection.
  8. If a member hires a qualified electrical contractor to perform work in an occupied home and the contractor purchases a permit for the job, EMPL will disconnect and reconnect on the same day with the understanding that an L&I inspection be scheduled within 5 business days.
  9. If the home is not occupied it must pass L&I inspection before it can be reconnected.
  10. Elmhurst is open Monday through Thursday 7 to 5:30
  11. An EMPL line crew will arrive between 7:30 and 9:00 to disconnect. For same day reconnects (work being done by electrician see item 6) we will reconnect the service as soon as is practicable depending on our work schedule after EMPL is notified the service is ready. EMPL reserves time at the end of the day, approximately 4:30, for reconnecting. In the event of other emergent work, line personnel will prioritize the work with the greatest amount of customers out of power but in any case will not leave until the reconnect is complete.
  12. Customer must understand that the Elmhurst Crews have a busy schedule and and only one disconnect of this type per day can be scheduled. The schedule is two weeks out so Customers should plan accordingly.
  13. An electrician or a homeowner can schedule this work but all of the information must be filled out on the form.
  14. The optimum meter height is 5’ to the center of the meter glass. Maximum height is 6’. Lower heights may be approved by Elmhurst. Call and ask for an exception if the service does not meet the 5’ standard. Elmhurst reserves the right, at it’s sole discretion, to NOT RECONNECT service if line personnel observe any unsafe or inadequate conditions. Those conditions must be remedied before service can be reconnected, regardless of L&I inspection status.

Required Information to be Filled Out by Member or Electrical Contractor

House Address*
Owner's Name*
Site Contact Name*
Is the Home Occupied?
Preferred Date 1st Choice (mm/dd/yyyy)*
Date Requested must be at least two weeks out from the date of application.
Preferred Date 2nd Choice (mm/dd/yyyy)*
Date Requested must be at least two weeks out from the date of application.
Agreement*
Once this form is submitted, Elmhurst will call you within 2 business days to confirm scheduling.